Vietnam Communist Party revamps propaganda with influencers and AI
Updated
Updated · Reuters · May 8
Vietnam Communist Party revamps propaganda with influencers and AI
6 articles · Updated · Reuters · May 8
A draft seen by Reuters says Hanoi wants 1,000 influencers and 5,000 AI experts by 2030, targeting young people and seeking 80% positive Vietnamese-language online content.
The plan calls for AI to remove within 24 hours at least 90% of content deemed against party guidelines, while using podcasts, short videos and targeted social media messaging.
The push comes as To Lam's security apparatus gains influence in tightly controlled Vietnam, where dissent can bring fines or detention and state media are being urged to cover leaders more creatively.
As Vietnam builds its AI-powered 'ideological immunity,' what is the true cost to free expression?
With laws mandating 'positive' content, can Vietnamese influencers maintain their authenticity and autonomy?
The Race to 80% Positive Content: Vietnam’s AI-Driven Propaganda Overhaul by 2030
Overview
Vietnam's Communist Party is transforming its propaganda by recruiting 1,000 social media influencers and 5,000 AI experts by 2030, inspired by China's digital authoritarian model. This strategy includes deploying AI to remove 90% of harmful content within 24 hours and shifting to engaging formats like short videos to reach youth who increasingly distrust traditional media. The government balances strict ideological control with the need for creative content, facing resistance from influencers wary of losing autonomy. Alongside, Vietnam pilots a social credit system rewarding compliant digital behavior, while expanding AI-powered surveillance. Despite rapid censorship gains, a surge in AI-generated disinformation challenges public trust, prompting new cybersecurity laws to tighten control over the digital space.